Meeting identifies export market needs, facilities

Key representatives from government and the private sectors of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu were in Fiji last week for the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) Programme Coordinating Committee meeting. The two-day meeting assessed the performance of PHAMA’s work in export market facilitation in the six target countries. PHAMA is an aid for trade programme funded by the Australia and New Zealand governments. It works with government representatives and the public and private sectors to promote Pacific exports of fresh and value-added agricultural products by helping exporters meet trading partners’ regulatory requirements and quality standards. PHAMA also provides technical assistance and funding to help governments and private sector partners open new market access, re-open and maintain existing access, and improve the quality of export commodities. Opening the meeting today, PCC chair and Australian High Commission Counsellor, Matt Lapworth said, “PHAMA is one of the Australian Government’s key aid for trade investments in the Pacific, positively impacting growth and lives”. The meeting also involved consultations by the design team for PHAMA Plus, the next phase of the programme. The design team has visited various countries in recent weeks; gathering feedback from government and industry that will help shape the design of the next phase of the programme. Last year PHAMA launched an impact report which revealed the programme has had a positive impact on an estimated 142,200 livelihoods and 5600 jobs in the Pacific. Outputs by PHAMA include new market access submissions, improvements to trade infrastructure, treatment protocols, food safety accreditation and the introduction of quality standards.